CTA Tattler

These windows are constantly unlocked. I think that everytime I've ever ventured into the hobo corner the window is open...sometimes someone is smoking out the window.

Yeah, those windows are unlocked about 50% of the times I've checked. That said, I think the key has to physically be in the control box for it to be operable, it's not a lock/unlock thing.

I'm guessing it was a Cubs fan returning from a game, realizing that they support the worst team in baseball history with the absolute worst fan base in sports. Last Place! Congrats Cubs!

Uh, yeah 'guest' that's it.

**where's my trollswatter?**

Anyhoo... This morning I was shocked when I got on the last car of the Brown line this morning and saw that the door to the operator's cabin was opened to the inside of the car. While this did open up space in the hobo corner and left controls exposed, it also made it difficult for someone to sit in the seat behind the operator's cabin.

Operators are supposed to leave the back area open, with the cab closed off. Without a key nothing will happen (execpt if they leave the windows unlocked, which is just pure laziness and pathetic) Those door controls/accouncement controls are extremely rugged as before 1-person operation they were in another part of the car extremely exposed. Now you wanna talk about unsecured door controls, most metra conductors leave the door controls in the unlocked position.

Well, one particular motorman made sure that the live cab was secure...

I was on a northbound redline train last nite and just before 1 am, I heard someone press the panic button a few cars back and yell something indecipherable. (I was sitting in the first car, near the motorman.)

The train was already parked at Berwyn and the doors had just shut. For a second it seemed like the driver had a look of panic, but maybe he couldn't clearly hear what the person was yelling into the intercom.

He calmly left the cab, closed the door behind him and by the time he walked out onto the Berwyn platform, you could hear yelling a few cars down.

At first I kept seated, then I heard "Yeah B*TCH! Yeah B*TCH!" and what sounded like punches to flesh. I got up and walked out to see if help was needed and saw a thug walking down the stairs and a middle-aged guy walking toward the motorman. The motorman said "Get inside the train so I can close the doors!", I guess to prevent the thug from coming back.

Once inside, I noticed that the passenger had blood dripping from his mouth and eyes were red. He asked the motorman "So that's it? Nothing's going to happen even though I called?" [the intercom]. The motorman didn't respond but quickly got back in the cab to close the doors and take off.

Everyone in the car was in shock and stared at the passenger. I fumbled through my coat and pockets, found some napkins and offered. He said thanks, but looked so defeated.

I suppose part of me wanted to assure him that not all young Black men are savage. (But since I really don't know what happened in the other car prior, I guess that's neither here nor there.)

Although most times it's not much of an issue, I'm not as convinced as I used to be that a 1-employee train is such a good idea, safety-wise.

The doors require a "conductors" key to unlock the door control to activate the door control buttons...referring controls opposite of the true motor cab.

The window latches were never well maintained. The 2400's were the worst. 2400;s had a latch that stuck out...almost snagged my throat a few times.

The train is MU'ed electronicially and requires a cab control key...different size thean the conductor door control key. The door control key also unlockes the fuse box. Conducters used to cut(the circuit power) out bad motors, AC, and other items when needed.

The motor cab has a deadman's control. Meaning, if the motorman died and let go of the control, the train would come to stop. Additionally, if a motorman blows a red light, depending on where you are one of two things will happen. If it is cab control circuit, the motorman has about a second or so to apply Brake position 3. If he does not, the train emergency brakes are applied. This is also true if a motorman hits a 'T' sticking up in the tracks. The 'T' is a little metal object shaped like a T that will rise to product an interlocking/switching junction. If you grab an L train and observe the switches coming into Belmont or Howard or the loop, you will see them. When the coast is clear, they are lowered. When the train should be stopped they are raised as a safety measure.

Beware of a motorman with a sleetscraper. They are almost invincible against the forces of darkness that leark on the L. And never question the judgement behind using them...it's for your own protection....else..you could be next.

Transit Man.

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It's your life that's at risk . If something happens to the motorman, unless the Chicago Police or a US Marshall is on the train, do you really want to evacuate yourself from the subway or the elevated without any training?

I used to deal with the Chicago street kids and street gangs. It was always good to know I had backup. A camera is not backup. Someone can be sleeping at a camera control center or have too much to watch. Physical Security should be taken with more urgency.

Example, if a motorman is in car 1 and you are in car 8 and something happens, do you really want to count on someone pressing the emergency button...or would you rather have a person who can walk to the car and respond accordingly?